Frustrated by a lack of informed and honest review websites covering a wide range of electronic music, I write them myself.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Meditronica - Meditronica (Original TC Review)

RareNoise Records

(2014 Update:
Not much to add to this one. I probably detailed too much 'bass guitar musician history' than was necessary, but I was looking for a broad angle such that those not interested in dub-heavy music would still have something interesting to read. In the end, it was just more Laswell talk.

This remains the only Meditronica album, not including a remix EP that came out a year later. Nearing five years old now, and there's been little info on whether Ashtech and Polcari are planning a follow-up. For that matter, Ashtech's still yet to follow-up his debut solo album too. What's up with that? Still, RareNoise Records, the label that was launched with this album, has done quite well for itself, though is far more jazzy prog-rock than I'd care to indulge in anytime soon.)

IN BRIEF: Dub on the beach.

Probably one of the most noteworthy things about Ashtech’s debut was the fact it was such a solid album through …for a bassist. Typically, at least in rock circles, bassists make for poorer musicians when they go solo instead of being a part of a group. Sure, guys like Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, and Sting have had respectable solo careers, but compared to the material they wrote while in their famous groups, it pales. On the other hand, perhaps it was Ashtech’s built-in familiarity with Jamaican dub music (not to mention producer Gaudi’s steadying hand) that made the transition to solo work all the more easy. Even then though, it’s rather remarkable, given the track-record of similar musicians. Take Bill Laswell. The man has an insanely vast discography, but generally speaking his collaborative work outshines his solo work (Rockit, anyone?).

In some ways, this Meditronica project of Ashtech’s reminds me of any number of Laswell’s groups, in that given the players involved there’s potential for something interesting. Here, ol’ Ash has paired up with Polcari, a frequent keyboarding wingman for several notable dub musicians (er, including Laswell – the guy’s just everywhere). Sounds like a strong combination for more dubbed out fun, and you do get that on this album. Unfortunately, as also has been the case with many a Laswell project, you get a distinct lack of focus in the process.

To cut to the chase, Meditronica sounds more like a couple guys jamming in the studio than a concerted effort to create a unique moniker that will stand out from the annual dub crowds. Honestly, the ideas are all over the place, which is surprising for a tidy ten-track album. Of course, you have your bass-heavy dub cuts like The Third Planet, Azimuth Navigation, and Mare Nostrum, but Ashtech wasn’t in the mood to retread Walkin’ Target. Rather, the whole reason for creating Meditronica with Polcari (along with other Italians like guitarist Eraldo Bernocchi and vocalist Raiz) was to inject Mediterranean influences into the dub template. Sure enough, there are little nuggets of Ibizan bliss that’ll remind some folks of perennial Balearic acts like Sven van Hees or any number of Café Del Mar compilations, though more prominent at the end with tracks Byblos From Above and Black Haik. Elsewhere, Northern African vocal flair is added to tracks Dame Paz and Ki Eshmera Shabbat, which should appeal to folks who enjoy that sort of thing. Mostly though, this release is about dub textures as our intrepid musicians noodle about in their jam sessions.

It is all perfectly pleasant music to hear, just very unassuming in the process. Meditronica is almost infuriating in how it can be casually thrown on and simply disappear into the background. This is an album that you feel should hit something higher, as any one of these tracks would undoubtedly stand out as a highlight on a themed compilation of similar tunes. Yet, it never quite does. Stuff like Rainbow Rain and Andromeda are lovely little listens but all too quickly fades from your head. The seemingly carefree way in which these songs are written and arranged makes it incredibly hard to contextualize them in the album, and their lasting impact is lessened as a result.

Despite this, Meditronica is a safe purchase for dub connoisseurs. Even those who fancy Mediterranean chill will find some enjoyment here. Ashtech and Polcari have something going for them with this project, but they need to figure out exactly what that something is if they want to take it to another level. Otherwise, Meditronica will probably fall by the wayside much like Laswell’s Divination did.